Linosporopsis, a new leaf-inhabiting scolecosporous genus in Xylariaceae

Morphology and multigene phylogeny reveal four new Xylaria (Xylariales, Xylariaceae) species from karst region in China

This study presents the identification of four novel Xylaria species, discovered in the karst region of China. The discovery was facilitated by a rigorous analysis that encompassed both morpho-anatomical features and multi-locus phylogenetics utilizing sequences from the ITS, rpb2, and TUB2 loci. The newly identified species are designated as Xylariajichuanii sp. nov., X.nanningensis sp. nov., X.orientalis sp. nov., and X.taiyangheensis sp. nov. The distinction of these species from their known counterparts was verified through comparison of morphological features and phylogenetic analysis. The study further provides detailed morphological descriptions, illustrative representations, and a phylogenetic tree, all of which contribute to the taxonomic positioning of these novel species.

Addition of Five Novel Fungal Flora to the Xylariomycetidae (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota) in Northern Thailand

The deviation of conventional fungal niches is an important factor in the implications of hidden fungal diversity and global fungal numbers. The Xylariomycetidae (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota), which is also referred to as xylarialean taxa, has a wide range of species that demonstrate a high degree of variation in their stromatic characteristics, showing either conspicuous or inconspicuous forms. In this study, samples were collected while focusing on temporal and spatial parameters and substrate characteristics. Based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S large subunit rDNA (LSU), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), and β-tubulin (TUB2) multigene phylogeny and morphology, five new species are introduced as Muscodor brunneascosporus, M. lamphunensis (Xylariaceae), Nigropunctata hydei, N. saccata (Incertae sedis), and Xenoanthostomella parvispora (Gyrotrichaceae). Plant substrates in the early stages of decay and attached to the host were feasible sample niches, with an emphasis on the collection of inconspicuous, hidden xylarialean species. The appearance of inconspicuous saprobic xylarialean forms during the rainy season may be linked to the change in nutritional mode, from endophytic mode during the dry season to saprobic in the wet. Therefore, it would be fascinating to concentrate future research on how seasonal fluctuations affect nutritional mode shifts, especially in northern Thailand, which would provide the optimal spatial characteristics. In order to establish a comprehensive linkage between endophytic and saprobic modes, it is imperative to have a substantial representation of endophytic isolate sequences resembling inconspicuous xylariaceous fungi within publicly accessible databases.

Redisposition of apiosporous genera Induratia and Muscodor in the Xylariales, following the discovery of an authentic strain of Induratia apiospora

BACKGROUND

The genus Induratia is based on Induratia apiospora, a xylarialean pyrenomycete from New Zealand with clypeate uniperitheciate stromata, hyaline apiospores and a nodulisporium-like anamorph. However, because of the lack of DNA data from the generic type, its phylogenetic affinities have remained unresolved. Recently, two fungal species with teleomorphs strikingly similar to Induratia were discovered in Thailand. However, they did not produce an anamorph and were found to be phylogenetically close to the species classified within the hyphomycete genus Muscodor, which was described after Induratia. Therefore, in 2020 the species of Muscodor were transferred to Induratia, and a new family Induratiaceae was proposed.

RESULTS

We have encountered an unpublished ex-holotype strain of Induratia apiospora among the holdings of the ATCC collection, enabling detailed morphological and molecular phylogenetic investigations. We observed the characteristic nodulisporium-like anamorph described in the original publication. Phylogenetic analyses of multigene sequence data revealed a close relationship of Induratia apiospora to the Barrmaeliaceae, while a close relationship to the Induratia species formerly classified within Muscodor was rejected.

CONCLUSIONS

We here classify Induratia apiospora within the Barrmaeliaceae and consider Induratiaceae to be synonymous with the former. As the holotype specimen of Induratia apiospora is apparently lost, an isotype specimen from WSP is selected as lectotype. We also propose that the genus Muscodor is resurrected within the Xylariaceae, and formally transfer several Induratia species to Muscodor.

About spirals and pores: Xylariaceae with remarkable germ loci

Based on phylogenetic analyses of a multi-gene matrix of nuITS-LSU rDNA, RPB2 and TUB2 sequences and morphology, xylariaceous species with uni- to pauciperitheciate stromata and ascospores having a spirally coiling (helicoid) germ slit are revised and reclassified, including detailed descriptions and illustrations. The genus Helicogermslita is redefined and restricted to seven species with massive, erumpent, clypeus-like carbonaceous stromata, and Rosellinia somala is combined in Helicogermslita. Within the core Xylariaceae, the poorly known Leptomassaria simplex is shown to be closely related to Anthostoma insidiosum, for which the new genus Oligostoma is established, and Anthostoma rhenanum is demonstrated to be synonymous with O. insidiosum. The new genus Albicollum, characterised by immersed ascomata and a collar of white pseudostromatic tissues surrounding the ostioles, is established for Amphisphaeria canicollis, Anthostoma chionostomum, Sordaria (= Helicogermslita) fleischhakii and Anthostoma vincensii. Anthostoma ostropoides is synomymised with Albicollum canicolle, and Al. berberidicola, Al. longisporum and Al. novomexicanum are described as new species. Rosellinia (= Helicogermslita) gaudefroyi is transferred to the new genus Spiririma. Anthostoma amoenum and Euepixylon udum, both with a poroid germ locus, are shown to be only distantly related, and An. amoenum is reclassified within the asexual genus Digitodochium. Based on phylogeny, the genus Euepixylon is treated as a synonym of Nemania. A new species, Nemania ethancrensonii, which is closely related to the two formerly accepted Euepixylon species (E. sphaeriostomum, E. udum) but strongly deviates from the morphological concept of Euepixylon and Nemania, is described from the eastern USA. The genera Anthostomelloides, Clypeosphaeria, Digitodochium, Emarcaea, Induratia, Linosporopsis, Magnostiolata, Occultitheca and Spiririma are revealed to form a morphologically heterogeneous lineage in a basal position of Xylariaceae. Anthostoma vincensii, Quaternaria simplex and Rosellinia gaudefroyi are lectotypified, and Amphisphaeria canicollis, Anthostoma amoenum, An. rhenanum, An. vincensii, Quaternaria simplex, Rosellinia gaudefroyi and Valsa insidiosa are epitypified. Keys to uni- to pauciperitheciate xylariaceous genera with sigmoid to helicoid germ slits and to species of Albicollum are provided. Citation: Voglmayr H, Tello S, Jaklitsch WM, et al. 2022. About spirals and pores: Xylariaceae with remarkable germ loci. Persoonia 49: 58-98. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.49.02.

Note on the genus Nemania (Xylariaceae) - first records and a new species of the genus from Iran

In a survey of xylarialean fungi in northern Iran, some specimens attributable to the genus Nemania were collected, cultured and sequenced. Morphological evidence and phylogenetic analyses of a combined ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TUB2 gene dataset confirmed the presence of Nemaniadiffusa and N.serpens in Iran for the first time. Furthermore, the new species N.hyrcana, which shows similarities to N.subaenea and its putative synonym N.plumbea, but significantly differs from the latter in its DNA sequences, was encountered. All species are illustrated, described and discussed. In the phylogenetic analyses, for the first time, the overlooked ex-type ITS sequences of the neotype of the generic type, N.serpens and that of the holotype of N.prava, were added to a multi-gene matrix of Nemania. This revealed that the two accessions of N.serpens (HAST 235 and CBS 679.86), for which multigene data are available in GenBank, are misidentified, while the Iranian accession of N.serpens has an almost identical ITS sequence to the neotype, confirming its morphological species identification. The two previously accepted species of Euepixylon, E.udum and E.sphaeriostomum, are embedded within Nemania and are revealed as close relatives of N.serpens, supporting the inclusion of Euepixylon in Nemania.

Fungal diversity notes 1387-1511: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa

This article is the 13th contribution in the Fungal Diversity Notes series, wherein 125 taxa from four phyla, ten classes, 31 orders, 69 families, 92 genera and three genera incertae sedis are treated, demonstrating worldwide and geographic distribution. Fungal taxa described and illustrated in the present study include three new genera, 69 new species, one new combination, one reference specimen and 51 new records on new hosts and new geographical distributions. Three new genera, Cylindrotorula (Torulaceae), Scolecoleotia (Leotiales genus incertae sedis) and Xenovaginatispora (Lindomycetaceae) are introduced based on distinct phylogenetic lineages and unique morphologies. Newly described species are Aspergillus lannaensis, Cercophora dulciaquae, Cladophialophora aquatica, Coprinellus punjabensis, Cortinarius alutarius, C. mammillatus, C. quercoflocculosus, Coryneum fagi, Cruentomycena uttarakhandina, Cryptocoryneum rosae, Cyathus uniperidiolus, Cylindrotorula indica, Diaporthe chamaeropicola, Didymella azollae, Diplodia alanphillipsii, Dothiora coronicola, Efibula rodriguezarmasiae, Erysiphe salicicola, Fusarium queenslandicum, Geastrum gorgonicum, G. hansagiense, Helicosporium sexualis, Helminthosporium chiangraiensis, Hongkongmyces kokensis, Hydrophilomyces hydraenae, Hygrocybe boertmannii, Hyphoderma australosetigerum, Hyphodontia yunnanensis, Khaleijomyces umikazeana, Laboulbenia divisa, Laboulbenia triarthronis, Laccaria populina, Lactarius pallidozonarius, Lepidosphaeria strobelii, Longipedicellata megafusiformis, Lophiotrema lincangensis, Marasmius benghalensis, M. jinfoshanensis, M. subtropicus, Mariannaea camelliae, Melanographium smilaxii, Microbotryum polycnemoides, Mimeomyces digitatus, Minutisphaera thailandensis, Mortierella solitaria, Mucor harpali, Nigrograna jinghongensis, Odontia huanrenensis, O. parvispina, Paraconiothyrium ajrekarii, Parafuscosporella niloticus, Phaeocytostroma yomensis, Phaeoisaria synnematicus, Phanerochaete hainanensis, Pleopunctum thailandicum, Pleurotheciella dimorphospora, Pseudochaetosphaeronema chiangraiense, Pseudodactylaria albicolonia, Rhexoacrodictys nigrospora, Russula paravioleipes, Scolecoleotia eriocamporesi, Seriascoma honghense, Synandromyces makranczyi, Thyridaria aureobrunnea, Torula lancangjiangensis, Tubeufia longihelicospora, Wicklowia fusiformispora, Xenovaginatispora phichaiensis and Xylaria apiospora. One new combination, Pseudobactrodesmium stilboideus is proposed. A reference specimen of Comoclathris permunda is designated. New host or distribution records are provided for Acrocalymma fici, Aliquandostipite khaoyaiensis, Camarosporidiella laburni, Canalisporium caribense, Chaetoscutula juniperi, Chlorophyllum demangei, C. globosum, C. hortense, Cladophialophora abundans, Dendryphion hydei, Diaporthe foeniculina, D. pseudophoenicicola, D. pyracanthae, Dictyosporium pandanicola, Dyfrolomyces distoseptatus, Ernakulamia tanakae, Eutypa flavovirens, E. lata, Favolus septatus, Fusarium atrovinosum, F. clavum, Helicosporium luteosporum, Hermatomyces nabanheensis, Hermatomyces sphaericoides, Longipedicellata aquatica, Lophiostoma caudata, L. clematidis-vitalbae, Lophiotrema hydei, L. neoarundinaria, Marasmiellus palmivorus, Megacapitula villosa, Micropsalliota globocystis, M. gracilis, Montagnula thailandica, Neohelicosporium irregulare, N. parisporum, Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum, Phaeoisaria aquatica, Poaceascoma taiwanense, Saproamanita manicata, Spegazzinia camelliae, Submersispora variabilis, Thyronectria caudata, T. mackenziei, Tubeufia chiangmaiensis, T. roseohelicospora, Vaginatispora nypae, Wicklowia submersa, Xanthagaricus necopinatus and Xylaria haemorrhoidalis. The data presented herein are based on morphological examination of fresh specimens, coupled with analysis of phylogenetic sequence data to better integrate taxa into appropriate taxonomic ranks and infer their evolutionary relationships.

Phylogeny of Graphostromatacea with two new species (Biscogniauxia glaucae sp. nov. and Graphostroma guizhouensis sp. nov.) and new record of Camillea broomeana isolated in China

In the process of studying the diversity of Xylariales in China, three species owning characteristics of Graphostromataceae were observed in China. Morphology of the described species with illustrations and their phylogeny based on regions of internal transcribed spacers (ITS), the second-largest subunit of the RNA polymerase II (RPB2), β-tubulin (TUB2) and α-actin (ACT) are provided. Two new species and one new record from China are identified. Morphologically, Biscogniauxia glaucae sp. nov. differs from B. atropunctata var. maritima, B. citriformis var. macrospora, B. fuscella and B. mediterranea by its stromata with raised margins, clear outlines, punctate ostioles openings and ascospores which are equilateral with broadly rounded ends, a straight spore-length germ slit on the more concave side, lacking appendages and sheathes. Graphostroma guizhouensis is identified as a new species based on the multi-gene phylogenetic tree. Camillea broomeana with scanning electron microscope description of ascospores is illustrated as a new record from China. Cryptostroma is proposed in Graphostromataceae based on molecular data. Vivantia is accepted in Graphostromataceae based on its morphological characteristics and Nodulisporiurn anamorphs which are similar to those of Biscogniauxia.

Multigene Phylogeny Reveals Haploanthostomella elaeidis gen. et sp. nov. and Familial Replacement of Endocalyx (Xylariales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota)

During our investigation of palm fungi in Thailand, two interesting taxa from Elaeis guineensis and Metroxylon sagu (Arecaceae) were collected. Based on phylogenetic analyses of a combined dataset of ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tub2 nucleotide sequences as well as unique morphological characteristics, we introduce the new genus Haploanthostomella within Xylariales, and a new species Endocalyx metroxyli. Additionally, in our study, the genus Endocalyx is transferred to the family Cainiaceae based on its brown conidia and molecular phylogenetic evidence.